USC ends search for new principal

School Board has special meeting to approve hire

August 3, 2014

Tracey Magnuson knew she had a really good shot at getting the elementary principal job at United South Central.

"It just felt right. I was very confident after my interview," Magnuson says. "The whole timing of everything is perfect. This is where I need to be right now."

Magnuson's contract for this upcoming school year was approved by the USC School Board at a special meeting last Monday night.

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According to superintendent Jerry Jensen, Magnuson was the only interviewee who did not appear in person for the interview.

"We narrowed the candidates down to seven," he explains. "Tracey was in New York at the time. We had two board members, myself, high school principal Kelly Schlaak and two teachers pass the phone around asking her questions."

Magnusen has spent the last 11 years with the Faribault Public School system.

She has had numerous positions throughout her schooling experience.

"I was an English as second language (ESL) teacher on special assignment and worked with staff coaching them on how to teach using strategies for ESL students to promote growth and learning," Magnuson says. "I have also been a first and fourth grade teacher and have three years experience working as an elementary school literacy coach."

Prior to working in the Faribault school system, Magnuson worked with the Apple Valley/Rosemount School District.

Along with her teaching and leadership experience, she has been part of several district committees, including staff development.

Magnuson grew up in Eden Prairie and has twin boys named Matthew and Jason.

Also, she is a member of the State Hall of Fame and the Minneapolis Hall of Fame for bowling.

Board chair Kathy Krebsbach likes that Magnuson is versatile.

"It is great that you have additional experiences on top of your teaching," she says.

According to Jensen, Magnuson is technically not yet released from her contract with Faribault Public Schools.

"We do however have a letter from their human services director which states her resignation has been accepted," Jensen explained.

Jensen explained that the seven candidates all possessed different amounts of experience and unique attributes separating themselves from each other.

"Tracey's amount of experience really made her stand out from the others," he says. "It was a tough decision, but at the end of the day, Magnuson's coaching and literacy experience put her above the rest."

Jensen did meet face to face with Magnuson after she got back from New York to discuss the job and her skills.

"Even though she had such a great interview, we could not see the body language,"?Jensen explains. "After that interaction, I felt comfortable she was the choice we wanted."

Magnuson is eager to get going with the school year and could not be happier to be a Rebel.

"What's important for me is to create an atmosphere where students and staff want to come to school every day," Magnuson says. "Also, technology-wise, USC is far beyond Faribault schools. Overall, I am just very excited to come to Wells."